News & Notes - July 2017

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Just when we thought things might quiet down for the summer, the last month has been full of big news. The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra announced the appointment of Stéphane Denève as its next Music Director. This appointment made the news across the country, most notably in Philadelphia, where Maestro Denève has been principal guest conductor, and in New York, where our SLSO has been popular and closely watched for years.

Enthusiasm runs high, as Maestro Denève has already earned the admiration and respect of both musicians and audience in his previous appearances in St. Louis. This enthusiasm grew as Maestro Denève penned (yes, penned, by hand!) a touching letter to the orchestra expressing his exhilaration at the appointment and his eagerness to make music with this great organization.

For the SVA, the promise of our growing involvement in ambassadorship for the SLSO is already being fulfilled, as we have been invited to participate in the Missouri Botanical Garden's "Member Tuesday Nights" program on Tuesday, August 22. Both Instrument Playground and SVA Ambassadors will be there, as well as a group of the orchestra's invited guests. Stay tuned for more information.

Meanwhile, the SVA VPs, Chairs and Team Leads will be deep in planning for another wonderful season in support of the SLSO. Laura Dwyer, a concert musician in her own right, is performing in the Colorado Music Festival this summer, and will then join her husband Chris in Sun Valley, ID, as he is part of the SLSO contingent that populates that orchestra each summer. Laura will return about August 18. While Laura will be available via phone and email, please note that her response may be delayed due to her rehearsal and performance schedule.

Next, please remember that your renewing gift to the Annual Campaign of $75 or more was due by June 30. If you have not yet renewed with your donation, you can click here to make your donation online.

If you have not yet turned in your committee preferences for 2017/2018, please click here to download a sign-up form, even if you’ve already been involved with specific committees. Scroll down to the Membership section, where you can click to all sorts of information about committee options. Also in the Membership section, note the planned General Meeting dates for 17/18. We want to be sure to include you in all we do next season!

I am excited to serve as your president for the next two years. Have a wonderful summer!

Membership

Membership RenewalsIf you have not had a chance to do so yet, please make your gift of $75 or more to the SLSO's Annual Campaign to renew your SVA membership for the coming year! The Annual Campaign supports one-third of the orchestra’s budget and the participation of SVA members in this effort is very important. Your prompt renewal is very much appreciated to help your board manage plans for next season!

Membership MeetingsBe sure to save the date for the following general membership meetings for the 17/18 season (these dates are being finalized so stay tuned):

Membership Chair Phyllis Traub and Vice Chair Rebecca Gorski are already at work securing venues and planning programs to make these meetings enjoyable and rewarding.

Committee SignupsIf you have not done so already, please let us know which committees you’d like to take part in for the coming season. For your convenience, you can click here to download a committee sign up form, which you can send in via regular mail. There are many interesting volunteer opportunities available and we want to make sure you find your spot. If you are unsure or want to learn more, click here to review the list of committee descriptions. Committee chairs will soon be in contact.

Group ActivitiesPlease make plans to join us for the following group activities:

Open Rehearsal with Beethoven, David Robertson and Amy KaiserThursday, November 16Laura (our perk source extraordinaire) received clearance to include the SVA in the corporate open rehearsal. It’s another chance for us to hear Amy with the chorus, this time rehearsing Beethoven's Missa Solemnis. Amy has agreed to speak with the SVA exclusively in the Whitaker Room, after which we can head upstairs to serve as Ambassadors and enjoy the open rehearsal.

Washington University Great Artist Series |Katia and Marielle Labèque, pianosSunday, January 28, 7:00pm560 Music Center, 560 Trinity Ave, St. Louis, MO 63130Featuring music of Stravinsky, Debussy and RavelSpecial pre-concert talk and complimentary glass of wine for SVA!

Education and Community Programs

Picture the Music and Express the MusicThe musical work that will inspire Picture the Music and Express the Music competitions is being selected as this News & Notes goes to press. The committees are already at work updating materials and, very importantly, teacher lists, which change yearly.

Instrument PlaygroundInstrument Playground is already scheduled for its first event of the season, the "Member Tuesday Nights" event at the Botanical Garden on Tuesday, August 22. The Instrument Playground committee is always looking for new members eager to share the joy of instruments with children.